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Monday, January 25, 2016

X Marks the Improv Block Tutorial

The X Marks the Improv quilt was such fun to make that I thought a block tutorial was in order. It's a great block if you're just beginning to dabble in improv, yet provides a design striking enough to attract a more seasoned improv quilter.

This block measures 12.5”x 24.5”, and consists
of 2 or more smaller blocks. The smaller blocks can be various widths – 4.5”,
6.5”, 8.5”, or 12.5” – and sewn together, they equal 24.5”. The height
of each segment is 12.5”.

To make each block, start with a piece of
fabric at least 1” larger on all sides than your desired finished size. Cut a
contrasting strip 1” wide and longer than the diagonal dimension of your
starting fabric. Rotary cut your ‘background’ piece diagonally.

Insert the 1” strip and sew the 2 halves back
together; press.

Cut your block diagonally in the other
direction, add another 1” strip, and sew the 2 halves back together; press.

Note: When sewing the final seam, it can be
tricky to get the 2 arms to line up. I place my 2 pieces right sides together,
pinch about a ¼” seam on the back where the ‘arms’ meet, then flip open so I
can see if they line up. If not, adjust a bit until they do, then pin. Alternately, I sometimes place a pin along the ¼” seam-line and then lift to check. Even so,
things don’t always line up perfectly, and that’s ok. Just make it as close as
you can without stressing over it.

Trim your block to your desired size, keeping
the middle of the cross as centered as you can, being sure to allow for seam
allowances. In the example below, my (unfinished) block will be 6.5” x 12.5”. I
place the top right corner of my ruler about in the center of that arm, with
the 3.25” and 6.25” ruler markings approximately where the arms cross. This isn’t
an exact measurement, but gives you an idea of how to keep the cross centered
in your block.

Depending on the size and shape of your
beginning fabric, your ‘x’ may or may
not land at the exact corners of your block and either is fine. That just adds
to the character of the block. Make 2 or more blocks, as needed to make your full
block strip 24.5” long.

You've probably noticed that I took free license with the 'arms' of each block. Some are all of one fabric; some are pieced with one or more fabrics. The ones with tiny bits of another color are actually trimmings from a previous block. So get creative with those insets and it'll add alot of interest to your quilt blocks.

What a fun quilt! Thanks for sharing the tutorial. That's just how I did my Red X quilt. You're right, it can be a bit of trial and error to get the two split sides to line up. Your technique is great!

I love these blocks! Quick question: once I quilted a quilt like this (with diagonal lines from the center) and I had all sorts of problems with the quilt stretching because I was quilting on the bias. Did you do anything special to keep yours from stretching or do you have any tips?

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